GT Spec Chassis Braces [6-Point Front & 2-Point Rear] Installed on Nismo Review
 

Just got the GT Spec chassis braces installed today on my 2012 Nismo.

Front

http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server35....1280.1280.JPG


Rear

http://www.gtspec.com/sites/default/...s-1375-003.jpg

http://www.gtspec.com/sites/default/files/sus-1375.jpg

I was skeptical about being able to feel any difference but I must admit, they do make quite a difference. I cannot say whether or not they make the car "faster", but believe it or not they actually make the ride in my Nismo quite a bit smoother! I was not expecting that.

The car feels MUCH more solid and does not rattle over bumps anymore. I always assumed that the ride was so rough due to the stiff suspension of the Nismo, but now the car soaks up bumps much better. Very nice surprise.

Turn-in is quicker with more precise steering feel and there is less understeer. The car felt more neutral through a couple high-speed sweepers (on ramps) and definitely felt more "planted".

Also, I do not seem to be spinning the rear tires as much, although I only did a couple WOT runs so this may just be a coincidence.

Overall, I am very pleased. Is it a MUST have? Probably not. But if you want to liven up the handling and smooth out the ride of your 370Z, I would recommend it.

Purchased and installed at Jotech Motorsports in Garland, TX.

Good review. :)

I'm very interested in the bars myself, and I want to do the whole package - 6pt, 4pt, and 2pt.

no pic of the front brace installed?

Check it out here (too large to post): http://www.gtspec.com/sites/default/files/_DSC0142.JPG

There is also a 4-point front brace that goes with this kit, but Jotech did not have it in stock. I ordered it and will have it installed as soon as it arrives.

http://www.gtspec.com/sites/default/...7front-4pt.jpg

How much ground clearance did you lose with the front brace? Does the rear work with aftermarket toe bolts?

They hang about an inch underneath the cats (or test pipes in my case). I've never had an issue with ground clearance and so far it's been fine.

No idea about the rears. All my suspension is stock Nismo stuff.

So the front brace is now the lowest point of the car?

Not sure if the nose is lower; they look to be about the same level.

4-Point Brace Now Installed
 

I finally got the front 4-point brace installed. I cannot overstate how much more solid the car feels now, especially over bumps and rough pavement. If you think our chassis cannot be made stiffer, you are mistaken. The car now feels more like a stiffly sprung Mercedes and not a Z-car.

Again, unless you are tracking the car, it's not going to make you "faster", but these parts are definitely NOT placebos. They absolutely make a difference.

http://i43.tinypic.com/2469tl5.jpg

My cell phone is the suck at taking pics.

how much did it run you?

About $950 for all 3 bars including tax and labor for installation.

Since this post was created almost four months ago, do you have any new news for us about the braces? I'm sure things have settled & you have gotten more of a feel of this. I have been eye balling these braces. I wanted to see what your thought was after the fact & that it has been almost four months since you installed the braces. I would have to assume your still impressed with the purchase.

Has anyone else purchased this & if so what do u think?

Wonder if the 6 point will work with aftermarket exhausts, such as LTHs

Supposedly the 6 point brace would work if you have HFC, TP, or LTH. There is a 4 point brace, but I have not heard anything about it.

I had the same kit on my 2008 G35S sedan and 2011 G37S coupe...took care of all the body flex on that long chassis and made a huge difference.

I can't recommend them enough. I'm surprised by your findings tho - but it's good to know. Not sure if i'll do it again...but who knows when my boredom will kick in!

LOL.... Good to hear that you enjoyed the product. ParkStr8 I'm surprised that you didn't pull the trigger for the third time. Why aren't you sure about going with the braces again?

Glad I ran across this thread, I've been considering these for a while now but I wasn't sure if they really made that much of a difference. I'll start saving up for them now lol

Zdayz 2014!!

Thanks for the write up, that ground clearance scares me though. But could work as a positive protecting the underneath, or creating another point to get stuck on :ugh:

I'm thinking about pulling the trigger on both braces (6 & 2 point brace). I'm assuming that the 6 point brace isn't as low as the Nismo front bumper. I'm going on a hunch that the Nismo front bumper is a little bit closer to the ground, but I'll call tomorrow to clear up the assumption.

Yea I want all 3 braces but I get stuck on speed bumps as it is righ now ...I'm lower on H&R springs

Seems that several people are stuck on the clearance issue & I totally understand. I'm hoping best case scenario that the 6 point brace has more ground clearance than the front bumper, but worst case scenario the 6 point brace is flush with the front bumper. I myself have a steep drive & I sometimes scrap the the black guard under the front bumper.

An inch lower than the cats isn't much, but we have giant speed bumps where I live so I'm still worried. The braces look great though.

I spoke to an individual at GTSPEC and he said that the 6 point brace was designed to fit without any worries for those individuals that track/auto track their cars. With this being said having your 370Z lower by springs/coilovers will not be an issue, but the issue is for those individuals that have their 370Z’s slammed. At the end of the day you will have to go up/down the drive way at an angle.

Ohhh good to know thanks bro

I would still be a little worried and I ride around on tein s-techs. I've scraped my F.I. exhaust going over little speed humps.

Your welcome.

I have heard this happen before with the F. I. exhaust. All I can say is go slower over speed bumps and more of an angle.

Do you have the first gen exhaust? The second gens actually have about 5/8" more clearance than the stock exhaust does, so this shouldn't really be a problem. The first gen exhausts were a little lower than stock so scraping is slightly more of a concern. If this is the case then the gtspec braces shouldn't pose a problem, just the exhaust. If you have the second gen exhaust well then... Dammit.

Zdayz 2014!!

Jcosta, I would like your opinion on something. Do you feel that these give almost as good of a handling performance boost as would a decent set of coilovers? I've been thinking about BCbrs but havent pulled the trigger yet. At roughly $200 cheaper do you think would perform similarly?

Zdayz 2014!!

I bought the GTSPEC 6, 4 & 2 point braces and had them installed last Friday. I haven’t pushed the car to the extremes around a corner yet, but the braces seem to be pretty good. I wouldn’t say that there is a night and day difference, but it might be with a non Nismo. I think the braces would definitely go hand-in-hand if your car was lowered on springs/coilovers and had sway bars possibly.

im not Jcosta, but you will feel a bigger difference with coilovers way more than installing these braces. id def get the coilovers first!

:iagree: +1.... GTSPEC is good, but your just beefing up the chasis and making it stiffer.

I recently installed the rear lower brace, and will be purchasing the 6-point brace. My question is about the rivet system used at 2 mounting points. The instructions say to use an impact gun to get the rivet installed into the chassis mounting point. However, others reported not needing to use an impact gun. I don't have an impact gun. Has anyone had experience with this?

SoulFunction
 

SoulFunction makes the same braces and look amazing. They also make other braces for the 370z as well as other cars. You can see my quick and easy install for the 4 point brace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld26f9s0rRw&t=2s and I'll be installing the 6 point mid brace soon with a video to follow. The rivet install comes with the required tool, you can use a socket with wrench (hold the tool in place) but will take you time to bolt the bolt/tool down that a impact gun will do faster with less man strength.

Ive been thinking about putting some of these braces on lately. Notice any performance differences with the 4 point brace after installed?